Hi Herb, Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
Keep in mind: it's the metal drive roller which determines tape speed, not the roller.
This is exactly why I know as well. It is just there to get the "speed on the tape" but it is not mission critical to get the dimensions 100% correct. Remember - the capstan dimensions change over time anyway because the material will be constantly removed during operating the tape. This is a normal process. IF the capstan dimensions would be vital for the correct function of the tape drive, it would have been unable to read the times not far after it was shipped - probably. So getting the capstan "as far as possible in the same size" should be enough... I had trouble opening the motor so chaning the bronze part with the capstan in a whole might be problematic - but maybe I was just lacking the right tools. It also came to my mind to look for old VCRs and see if they have fitting capstans but didn't got that far....